Strap Tensioning Assembly

ABSTRACT

A strap tensioning assembly includes a frame having two lateral walls and each of which includes a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third engaging sections, an axle, and an automatic reeling device. A ratcheting device is mounted on and is rotatable with the axle and includes a ratchet wheel selectively engaged with a first detent as well as a brake mechanism. An operating device includes a pivotal end mounted on the axle and including a first, a second, and a third cams, and a locking member selectively engagable with the first, second and third engaging sections. The operating device is pivoted in the first engaging section in order to tension a strap, and is pivoted in the second engaging section in order to release a strap, and is adapted to be rotated by the automatic reeling device, and under or without resistance imposed by the braking mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a strap tensioning assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,736 shows a retractable tie-down assembly includinga spool rotatably mounted on a frame, a strap having an end attached onthe spool, a ratchet wheel mounted on the spool, and a handle pivotallymounted on the frame. The handle is selectively engaged with the ratchetwheel and pivotal of the handle causes the ratchet wheel mounted torotate in a first direction to tension and collect the strap on thespool and, if the handle is disengaged from the ratchet wheel the spoolcan be rotated in a second direction such that the strap collected onthe spool can be released from the spool. Additionally, the tie downassembly includes a rotation brake urged against the ratchet wheel sothat the brake prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel in the firstdirection while releasing the strap. The tie down assembly furtherincludes a spool spring which rotates automatically to collect thestrap, but the spool spring has to encounter resistance from the brakeupon rotation in the first direction.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a strap tensioning assembly includesa frame having two lateral walls and each of which includes a perimeterdefining a first, a second, and a third engaging sections, an axle, andan automatic reeling device. A ratcheting device is mounted on and isrotatable with the axle and includes a ratchet wheel selectively engagedwith a first detent as well as a brake mechanism. An operating deviceincludes a pivotal end mounted on the axle and a locking memberselectively engagable with the first, second and third engagingsections. The operating device is pivoted in the first engaging sectionin order to tension a strap, and is pivoted in the second engagingsection in order to release a strap, and is pivoted in the secondengaging section in order to release a strap, and is pivoted in thethird engaging section in order to enable a strap to be rotated by theautomatic reeling device, and under or without resistance imposed by thebraking mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention that the brake mechanismsprovides resistance to slow down rotation speed of the ratchet wheel inorder to prevent the ratchet wheel rotating too fast and the strap hurtsuser.

It is another object of the present invention that the ratchet wheel isadapted to be rotated without resistance from the brake mechanism, and astrap is adapted to be quickly collected on the assembly via theautomatic reeling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap tensioning assembly inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the strap tensioning assemblyshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a ratchet wheel rotated in afirst direction upon pivoting of an operating device in a first engagingsection in order to tension a strap.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device engaged ina second engaging section and disengaged from the ratchet wheel.

FIG. 7 is an extended view of FIG. 6 and in which a first detent and asecond detent are alternately disengaged from the ratchet wheel uponpivotal of the operating device in the second engaging section in orderto release a strap.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device engaged ina third engaging section and disengaged from the ratchet wheel, and theratchet wheel rotated in the first direction via the automatic reelingdevice.

FIG. 9 is an extended view of FIG. 8 and in which the operating deviceis pivoted to a different location in the third engaging section, andthe ratchet wheel is rotated without resistance from a brake mechanism.

FIG. 10 is an extended view of FIG. 9 and showing the automatic reelingdevice.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a strap tensioning assembly inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an operating device engaged ina second engaging section and disengaged from a ratchet wheel.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the operating device engagedin a third engaging section and disengaged from a ratchet wheel.

FIG. 15 is an extended view of FIG. 14 and in which the operating deviceis pivoted to a different location in the third engaging section, andthe ratchet wheel is rotated without resistance from a brake mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 through 10 show a strap tensioning assembly in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention. The assembly includes a frame10 including a base 104 and two lateral walls 103 extending from thebase 104, with the two lateral walls 103 of the same configuration andspaced from and parallel with each other. At least one strut 11interconnects the lateral walls 103. In this embodiment, one strut 11 isdisposed in proximity to a first end 101 of the frame 10 and anotherstrut 11 is disposed in proximity to a second end 102 of the frame 10.Each lateral wall 103 includes a perimeter defining a first 105, asecond 106, and a third 107 engaging sections. An axle 12 is utilized toconnect a ratcheting device 20 and an operating device 30 with the frame10. The axle 12 has two ends mounted on the two lateral walls 103,respectively. Additionally, the axle 12 is spaced from the firstengaging section 105 at a first distance r1, the second engaging section106 at a second distance r2, and the third engaging section 107 at athird distance r3, with the first distance r1 smaller than the second r2and third r3 distances. Further, a supporting member 108 is extendedupwardly from the base 104. Further, a first detent 14 and a seconddetent 15 are disposed between the axle 12 and the support member 108and each has two lateral sides mounted on the two lateral walls 103,respectively. The first 14 and second 15 detents each includes a firstend 141, 151 selectively engaging with the ratcheting device 20 and theoperating device 30 and a second end 142, 152 receiving a resilientmember 143, 153 and mounted on the supporting member 108. Further, abrake mechanism 13 is disposed between the two lateral walls 103. Inthis embodiment, two brake mechanisms 13 are utilized. Each brakemechanism 13 includes a braking member 131 including a compartment 1311for receiving a resilient member 1321, preferably a torsion spring, inorder to enable the brake mechanism 13 biasably moved, and the resilientmember 1321 having a leg abutted against the compartment 1311 andanother leg abutted against the base 104. Each brake mechanism 13further includes an engaging portion 1312 and a braking portion 1313extended therefrom. The engaging portion 1312, as described in detailhereafter, is adapted to be depressed by the operating device 30 andcauses the braking portion 1313 to disengage from the ratcheting device20. Additionally, the engaging portion 1312 and the braking portion 1313are at a different level of height with respect to the base 104.Furthermore, each braking mechanism 13 may include a fastener 133inserted through the resilient member 1321 and the compartment 1311 andmounted on one of the lateral wall 103 to fix the braking mechanism 13.

The assembly also includes an automatic reeling device 16 mounted on theaxle 12. The axle 12 includes a first end having a head 121 with adiameter larger than that of a hole which receives the axle 12. Thus,the head 121 is retained on an outer side of one of the lateral walls103. The axle 12 further has a second end opposite to the first end andengaged with a clip after the axle 12 is mounted on the frame 10.Further, a slot 122 is formed on the second end of the axle 12 and theautomatic reeling device 16, preferably a torsion spring, includes afirst end 161 engaged in the slot 122 and a second end 162 engaged in aretaining section 171 formed in a cap 17. Additionally, the cap 17protects the automatic reeling device 16 from dust.

The ratcheting device 20 includes a spool 21 and at least one ratchetwheel mounted thereon. In this embodiment, two ratchet wheels 22, 23 areutilized. The spool 21 includes a peripheral wall including a throughslot 211. Thus, a strap is adapted to be inserted through the throughslot 211 and includes an end connected with the spool 21. Additionally,the spool 21 may include two plates 212 on which the ratchet wheels 22and 23 are mounted, respectively. Each plate 212 includes a plurality ofretaining members 213 protruded from the plate 212, and the ratchetwheel 22 includes a plurality of retaining holes 223 engaged with theretaining members 213 of one plate 212 for secure attachment. Likewise,the ratchet wheel 23 includes a plurality of retaining holes 233 engagedwith the retaining members 213 of the other plate 212. Each ratchetwheel 22, 23 includes a perimeter with a plurality of unsymmetricalteeth 221, 231. Furthermore, the axle 12 connects the ratcheting device20 with the frame 10 by inserting through the spool 21, and a connectinghole 222 of the ratchet wheel 22 and a connecting hole 232 of theratchet wheel 23. Additionally, the axle 12 has a non-circularperipheral wall which defines a flat retaining side 123, and theconnecting hole 222 is also non-circular and is engaged with theretaining side. Thus, the axle 12 and the ratcheting device 20 arerotatable concurrently.

The operating device 30 includes an operating end 31 for user to grabduring pivotal operation thereof. The operating device 30 also includestwo pivotal ends 32 mounted on the axle 12 and each includes a perimeterdefining a first 321, a second 322, and a third 323 cams and a recess324. Additionally, each pivotal end 32 is disposed between theratcheting device 20 and one lateral wall 103 in this embodiment. Theoperating device 30 further includes a locking member 33 moveablymounted between the operating end 31 and the pivotal end 32. The lockingmember 33 is selectively engagable with the first 105, second 106 andthird 107 engaging sections of each lateral wall 103. Specifically, whenthe locking member 33 is engaged in the first engaging section 105, theratchet wheels 22 and 23 are engaged by the locking member 33, and theratchet wheels 22 and 23 are rotated in a first direction uponreciprocal pivoting of the operating device 30 in the first engagingsection 105 in order to tension and collect a strap (as shown in FIGS. 4and 5). Furthermore, the first 14 and second 15 detents prevent theratchet wheels 22 and 23 from rotating in a second direction.Additionally, the second cam 322 depresses the engaging portions 1312 ofthe brake mechanisms 13 to urge the braking portions 1313 thereof awayand disengaged from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the locking member 33 disengaged from the ratchetwheels 22 and 23 and engaged in the second engaging section 106. Thefirst detent 14 and the second detent 15 are alternately disengaged fromthe ratchet wheels 22 and 23 upon pivoting of the operating device 30 inthe second engaging section 106 in order to release a strap.Furthermore, the engaging portions 1312 of the brake mechanisms 13 isdepressed by the second cam 323 and the braking portion 1313 thereof isaway and disengaged from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 during pivoting ofthe operating device 30 in the second engaging section 106.

FIG. 8 shows the locking member 33 disengaged from the ratchet wheels 22and 23 and engaged in a first position 1071 of the third engagingsection 107. The first detent 14 is urged to disengage from the ratchetwheels 22 and 23 by the first cam 321 of the operating device 30. Thesecond detent 15 is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23by the second cam 322 of the operating device 30. Furthermore, theengaging portion 1312 is disengaged from the pivotal end 32 of theoperating device 30 as the engaging portion 1312 is disposed in therecess 324. Thus, the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 are rotated in the firstdirection by the automatic reeling device 16 for collecting a strapautomatically without maneuvering the operating device 30. Additionally,the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 are engaged with braking portions 1313 ofthe brake mechanisms 13 and the braking portions 1313 provide resistanceto slow down rotation speed of the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 in order toprevent the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 rotating too fast and the straphurts user.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the locking member 33 engaged in a second position1072 of the third engaging section 107. The first detent 14 is urged todisengage from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 by the first cam 321 of theoperating device 30. The second detent 15 is urged to disengage from theratchet wheels 22 and 23 by the second cam 322 of the operating device30. Furthermore, the third cam 323 depresses the engaging portions 1312of the brake mechanisms 13 to urge the braking portions 1313 thereofaway and disengaged from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23. Thus, the ratchetwheels 22 and 23 are rotated without resistance from the brake mechanism13, and a strap is adapted to be quickly collected on the assembly viathe automatic reeling device 16.

FIGS. 11 through 15 show a strap tensioning assembly in accordance witha second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment issimilar to the first embodiment except that the second detent 15 iseliminated. Thus, when the locking member 33 is engaged in the firstengaging section 105 and the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 are rotated in afirst direction upon reciprocal pivoting of the operating device 30 inthe first engaging section 105 in order to tension and collect a strap,the first 14 detent prevent the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 from rotatingin a second direction. When the locking member 33 is engaged in thesecond engaging section 106, the first detent 14 is selectivelydisengaged from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23 by the first cam 321 of theoperating device 30 upon pivoting of the operating device 30. When thelocking member 33 is engaged in the third engaging section 107, thefirst detent 14 is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheels 22 and 23by the first cam 321 of the operating device 30.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited bythe scope of accompanying claims.

1. A strap tensioning assembly comprising: a frame including two lateralwalls spaced from and parallel with each other, with each lateral wallincluding a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third engagingsections, an axle having two ends mounted on the two lateral wallsrespectively and being rotatable, an automatic reeling device mounted onthe axle, a first detent having two lateral sides biasably mounted onthe two lateral walls respectively, and a brake mechanism biasablymounted between the two lateral walls; a ratcheting device including aspool mounted on the axle and rotatable with the axle, a ratchet wheelmounted on the spool, with the ratchet wheel selectively engaged withthe first detent, and with ratchet wheel selectively engaged with thebrake mechanism; and an operating device includes a pivotal endpivotally mounted on the axle, with the pivotal end including aperimeter defining a first, a second, and a third cams, with the firstcam selectively urging the first detent away from the ratchet wheel, andwith the second and third cams selectively urging the braking mechanismaway from the ratchet wheel, a locking member selectively engagable withthe first, second and third engaging sections of each lateral wall, andwith the locking member selectively engaged with the ratchet wheel; andwherein the locking member is engaged in the first engaging section, theratchet wheel is engaged by the locking member, the brake mechanism isurged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, andthe ratchet wheel is rotated in a first direction upon reciprocalpivoting of the operating device in the first engaging section in orderto tension and collect a strap; and wherein the locking member isdisengaged from the ratchet wheel and engaged in the second engagingsection, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from theratchet wheel by the second cam, and the first detent is selectivelydisengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating devicein the second engaging section in order to release a strap; and whereinthe locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and is engagedin a first position of the third engaging section, the first detent isurged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brakemechanism is engaged with the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel isrotated in the first direction by the automatic reeling device withoutmaneuvering the operating device, and the brake mechanism providesresistance to slow down rotation speed of the ratchet wheel; and whereinthe locking member is engaged in a second position of the third engagingsection, the first detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheelby the first cam, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged fromthe ratchet wheel by the third cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotatedwithout resistance from the brake mechanism.
 2. The strap tensioningassembly as claimed in claim 1 further including a second detent havingtwo lateral sides biasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectivelyand selectively engaging with the ratcheting device and the operatingdevice, and wherein the first and second detents are alternatelydisengaged from the ratchet wheel upon pivoting of the operating devicein the second engaging section, and wherein the second detent is urgedto disengage from the ratchet wheel by the second cam as the lockingmember is engaged in the third engaging section.
 3. The strap tensioningassembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the axle is spaced from the firstengaging section at a first distance, the second engaging section at asecond distance, and the third engaging section at a third distance,with the first distance smaller than the second and third distances. 4.The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the brakemechanism includes a braking member including a compartment forreceiving a resilient member in order to enable the brake mechanismbiasably moved, an engaging portion and a braking portion extendedtherefrom, with the engaging portion adapted to be depressed by theoperating device and cause the braking portion to disengage from theratcheting device.
 5. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim4 wherein the engaging portion and the braking portion are at adifferent level of height with respect to the frame.
 6. The straptensioning assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the braking mechanismincludes a fastener inserted through the resilient member and thecompartment and mounted on one of the lateral wall to fix the brakingmechanism.
 7. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 1wherein the axle includes a slot formed thereon, wherein the automaticreeling device includes a first end engaged in the slot, wherein theframe includes a cap mounted thereon, with the cap includes a retainingsection formed thereon, and wherein the reeling device includes a secondend engaged in the retaining section.
 8. The strap tensioning assemblyas claimed in claim 1 wherein the axle has a non-circular peripheralwall which defines a flat retaining side, and wherein the ratchet wheelincludes a connecting hole which is non-circular and is engaged with theretaining side.
 9. A strap tensioning assembly comprising: a frameincluding two lateral walls spaced from and parallel with each other,with each lateral wall including a perimeter defining a first, a second,and a third engaging sections, an axle having two ends mounted on thetwo lateral walls respectively and being rotatable, an automatic reelingdevice mounted on the axle, a first detent having two lateral sidesbiasably mounted on the two lateral walls respectively, and a brakemechanism biasably mounted between the two lateral walls; a ratchetingdevice including a spool mounted on the axle and rotatable with theaxle, a ratchet wheel mounted on the spool, with the ratchet wheelselectively engaged with the first detent, and with ratchet wheelselectively engaged with the brake mechanism; and an operating deviceincludes a pivotal end pivotally mounted on the axle, with the pivotalend including a perimeter defining a first, a second, and a third cams,with the first cam selectively urging the first detent away from theratchet wheel, and with the second and third cams selectively urging thebraking mechanism away from the ratchet wheel, a locking memberselectively engagable with the first, second and third engaging sectionsof each lateral wall, and with the locking member selectively engagedwith the ratchet wheel; and wherein the locking member is engaged in thefirst engaging section, the ratchet wheel is engaged by the lockingmember, the brake mechanism is urged away and disengaged from theratchet wheel by the second cam, and the ratchet wheel is rotated in afirst direction upon reciprocal pivoting of the operating device in thefirst engaging section in order to tension and collect a strap; andwherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel andengaged in the second engaging section, the brake mechanism is urgedaway and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the second cam, and thefirst detent is selectively disengaged from the ratchet wheel uponpivoting of the operating device in the second engaging section in orderto release a strap; and wherein the locking member is disengaged fromthe ratchet wheel and is engaged in the third engaging section, thefirst detent is urged to disengage from the ratchet wheel by the firstcam, and the ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by the brakemechanism, and the ratchet wheel is rotated in the first direction bythe automatic reeling device without maneuvering the operating device.10. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein thethird engaging section includes a first position and a second position,and wherein the locking member is disengaged from the ratchet wheel andis engaged in the first position, the first detent is urged to disengagefrom the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanism is engagedwith the ratchet wheel, the ratchet wheel is rotated in the firstdirection by the automatic reeling device without maneuvering theoperating device, and the brake mechanism provides resistance to slowdown rotation speed of the ratchet wheel, and wherein the locking memberis engaged in the second position, the first detent is urged todisengage from the ratchet wheel by the first cam, the brake mechanismis urged away and disengaged from the ratchet wheel by the third cam,and the ratchet wheel is rotated without resistance from the brakemechanism.
 11. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 10further including a second detent having two lateral sides biasablymounted on the two lateral walls respectively and selectively engagingwith the ratcheting device and the operating device, and wherein thefirst and second detents are alternately disengaged from the ratchetwheel upon pivoting of the operating device in the second engagingsection, and wherein the second detent is urged to disengage from theratchet wheel by the second cam as the locking member is engaged in thethird engaging section.
 12. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed inclaim 10 wherein the axle is spaced from the first engaging section at afirst distance, the second engaging section at a second distance, andthe third engaging section at a third distance, with the first distancesmaller than the second and third distances.
 13. The strap tensioningassembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the brake mechanism includes abraking member including a compartment for receiving a resilient memberin order to enable the brake mechanism biasably moved, an engagingportion and a braking portion extended therefrom, with the engagingportion adapted to be depressed by the operating device and cause thebraking portion to disengage from the ratcheting device.
 14. The straptensioning assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the engaging portionand the braking portion are at a different level of height with respectto the frame.
 15. The strap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 13wherein the braking mechanism includes a fastener inserted through theresilient member and the compartment and mounted on one of the lateralwall to fix the braking mechanism.
 16. The strap tensioning assembly asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the axle includes a slot formed thereon,wherein the automatic reeling device includes a first end engaged in theslot, wherein the frame includes a cap mounted thereon, with the capincludes a retaining section formed thereon, and wherein the reelingdevice includes a second end engaged in the retaining section.
 17. Thestrap tensioning assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the axle has anon-circular peripheral wall which defines a flat retaining side, andwherein the ratchet wheel includes a connecting hole which isnon-circular and is engaged with the retaining side.